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Not really. Moeen and Lyon had pretty much identical figures in the first innings, with Lyon being more economical and Moeen getting his wickets at a better SR.

In the second innings, all the Australian bowlers bowled really well, except for maybe Cummins. Hazlewood getting two yesterday, Lyon getting the three left-handers at regular intervals and then Starc blasting away the tail, without allowing them to get a few extra runs were all crucial contributions.

It is extremely simplistic to put this result down to the performances of two men. I can just as easily say that switch Smith and Root and the result would be much closer, or switch one of the Aussie pacers with their English counterparts.

Australia just out performed England ever since Smith and Marsh got together for their partnership.

Moeen had better actually 2/74 vs 2/78 - that's for statguru; I have seen both bowling for most part to know the difference beyond stats, which is exposed in 2nd innings.

On Day 4/5 such track, you don't know what surprise was waiting if Poms had to chase 170 against Lyon.

Since when? I can only think of Moeen, who is disturbingly the best spinner in the E&W system.

I know, there is not much option available. But, the reason for this isn't that spinners are not born in UK - every English pundit I read tells that spinners are for 4th innings, hardly any spinners is picked in County unless he bats for 30+ average. Spinners are used to manage over rate in most cases - out come is ENG playing a lead spinner for 2 Tests, with 150 wickets from 128 FC matches (& a batting average of ~30).

I can bet that if available, ENG would have played Maxwell, Aussies are playing Lyon.

Bits & pieces spinners don't work in AUS - the difference between 2 sides in this Test was Lyon & Moeen - swap them (including Moeen's 78 runs in Aussie account) - it would have been a closer match. Instead of Woakes, Masson Carnie would have made this match real tight.

but yasir shah has been poor....lolz just for fun.....100% agreed.in test u pick spinners nt according to the wicket but according to your needs and one specialist spinner should always play regardless of the conditions.England should take a risk and play craine while one bat or quick leaves while Moeen Ali stays because he can bat.

Its incredibly difficult to win in Australia, and even more so at the Gabba. All it takes is one or two bad sessions and all your work is undone as Pakistan can attest to last year when coming 39 runs short of breaking the unbeaten Gabba streak. The Aussies just don't give up easily in their backyard - only South Africa have laid a glove on them recently there.

England will regret not wrapping the Australian 1st innings up when they were 200-7, they don't have someone like Starc to blow the tail away. There aren't enough superlatives for Smith's innings, he showed the patience needed on a two paced and slightly slow pitch.

Lyon provided crucial control and bowled beautifully but England's familiar batting woes returned with too many starts not converted in both 1st and 2nd innings. Bairstow will be disappointed with the way he got out.

From what I heard and saw, this was an unusually slow Gabba track (relaid?) and therefore was England's best chance to win. The usual OZ tracks are flat with consistent bounce where even Usman Khwaja will look like tendulkar and OZ will be rollicking away at 4 an over.

Not really. Moeen and Lyon had pretty much identical figures in the first innings, with Lyon being more economical and Moeen getting his wickets at a better SR.

In the second innings, all the Australian bowlers bowled really well, except for maybe Cummins. Hazlewood getting two yesterday, Lyon getting the three left-handers at regular intervals and then Starc blasting away the tail, without allowing them to get a few extra runs were all crucial contributions.

It is extremely simplistic to put this result down to the performances of two men. I can just as easily say that switch Smith and Root and the result would be much closer, or switch one of the Aussie pacers with their English counterparts.

Australia just out performed England ever since Smith and Marsh got together for their partnership.

I disagree, I flagged Lyon vs Moeen as a key battle before the series and with England not able to threaten through a spinner it leaves their attack without a wheel and with Lyon performing (if you watch, he was far more threatening) it means Oz get away with 4 bowlers. If Lyon fails, Aussie team selection is exposed without an allrounder.

Yeah I'd say it is equivalent to a traditional 3rd day Gabba track, since it started underprepared due to rain. 3rd day Gabba is prime time for batting. Tomorrow maybe like a day 4, It will turn a bit and odd one may hit a crack but pretty good batting overall.

From what I heard and saw, this was an unusually slow Gabba track (relaid?) and therefore was England's best chance to win. The usual OZ tracks are flat with consistent bounce where even Usman Khwaja will look like tendulkar and OZ will be rollicking away at 4 an over.

You're right it was very much like a NZ or Eng track on first 2 days- it rained a lot leading in to the test so groundsman could not bake it hard like usual. Was a soft pitch, slightly underprepared by Gabba standards. Hence slower run rates (also good bowling, clever plans & early wickets meaning consolidation).

You're right it was very much like a NZ or Eng track on first 2 days- it rained a lot leading in to the test so groundsman could not bake it hard like usual. Was a soft pitch, slightly underprepared by Gabba standards. Hence slower run rates (also good bowling, clever plans & early wickets meaning consolidation).

I see. Well England better pray that they get similar tracks for the next 4 tests otherwise this Ashes is already a foregone conclusion.

There has been some discussion about Adelaide being a day-nighter and that suiting Broad and Anderson, plus England sides have won Tests before at both Melbourne and Sydney.

Australia have deservedly taken the opening round but it’s too early to write the series off.

However if Australia win again at Adelaide then it starts to look really tough, it would then be not impossible but extremely difficult for England to retain the Ashes with say a 2-2 draw, particularly given their awful record at Perth which may be even worse than their one at Brisbane to be honest.

There has been some discussion about Adelaide being a day-nighter and that suiting Broad and Anderson, plus England sides have won Tests before at both Melbourne and Sydney.

Australia have deservedly taken the opening round but it’s too early to write the series off.

However if Australia win again at Adelaide then it starts to look really tough, it would then be not impossible but extremely difficult for England to retain the Ashes with say a 2-2 draw, particularly given their awful record at Perth which may be even worse than their one at Brisbane to be honest.

Its worse in Perth. England has only ever won one test at the WACA and that was when most the Australian side was suspended due to World Series Cricket.

Originally Posted by Saqs on Steve Smith

And who taught him to bat? Chris Martin? Is he the Australian equivalent of ....wait, I'm struggling to think of another useless player of his calibre.

Yeah I'd say it is equivalent to a traditional 3rd day Gabba track, since it started underprepared due to rain. 3rd day Gabba is prime time for batting. Tomorrow maybe like a day 4, It will turn a bit and odd one may hit a crack but pretty good batting overall.

Smith's innings was a fantastic one. But you have to hand it to bowlers like Hazlewood as well. Given that the same England side lost to West Indies it is no wonderto see their supposedly lengthy batting line up has some chinks.

He's unbearable. It does seem he's a joke to the other commentators. I switch between Willow [Channel 9] and BT Sport depending on whether KP and Swann are on or not.

What did he say about Cook? He's way too unprofessional and more like a South African Rameez Raja.

That's actually a great idea. I have been searching for ages online for a stream from channel 9, not realising that Willow (which I have access to) actually carries that stream. Think I will watch that from now on instead of BT (listening to Boycott's moaning is getting a bit tedious too).

Hmm I wouldn't say England sucks; they had a few things suit them this match like the pitch, but just lacked the ability to put Australia down in that first innings. Stokes may honestly have been the difference. As it stands perhaps they should draft Wood in for some pace.

Root is not deserving of his place in the fab four. Hope or someone my take his place!
Cook was excellent for most of his career but is now in decline. It's looking long term for him, he's good enough to scrap 50s & maintain his place but I think he'll average 30, 40 tops in the latter half of his career.

Hmm I wouldn't say England sucks; they had a few things suit them this match like the pitch, but just lacked the ability to put Australia down in that first innings. Stokes may honestly have been the difference. As it stands perhaps they should draft Wood in for some pace.

Root is not deserving of his place in the fab four. Hope or someone my take his place!
Cook was excellent for most of his career but is now in decline. It's looking long term for him, he's good enough to scrap 50s & maintain his place but I think he'll average 30, 40 tops in the latter half of his career.

I don't think Jimmy is the problem- he can dry up runs & offer control at worst and is deadly when conditions suit. I'd rather him than Woakes for example, who bowls roughly the same pace (not quick enough to matter at any rate) and his "all rounder" status is a bit like Ashwin & only applies after 300 on the board & a nice track to bat on.

The main difference in the match was Lyon in terrific form & Moeen contributing little with the ball.

England either need express pace (do they have any?) to compliment Anderson's control & swing if it suits, Broad being a pretty versatile, reliable, tall bowler and then add an enforcer to blast out the lower order. If no express pace, the best bowling style to run through a tail is actually a decent leggy. Mason Crane is on tour- pick him.

Only the vary rarest finger spinners (Saqlain, Bedi, any others? Vettori) even hold their ground in Australia but leggies can flourish. It would be an aggressive move & they'll play Woakes at Adelaide but they won't win the series without an aggressive (Speed or wrist) bowler to mop up after they get into the top order.